I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain

So Ian decided to extend only the travel time instead of speed.

In fact, it was sufficient, meaning that there was a way to escape faster and farther in case of emergency.

Miguel added one more suggestion to this. “We’ve bought time and can travel longer, so let’s take a little detour here.”

“How much?”

“If my memory serves me right, if you rush northeast from here, you have to pass near the lord’s castle. It would be good if nothing happens, but if something happens, it will be chaotic. So let’s avoid it. If we use the time we’ve earned again, it will be enough.”

“If we get caught in the middle, we’ll bounce around crossing territories?”

“That’s right. We can shake them off now. You can’t keep fighting forever. We have to avoid what we can avoid. Once we get past here, it’s abandoned land. It’s a more dangerous place than here. …I don’t know if it can be described as safer.”

“So you’ve finally realized that people are more frightening than demons.” Ian snorted with a nod.

It was true that he also needed time to restore his stamina and magic.

And so, the quiet advance that no one knew when it would end began again.

Miguel in the driver seat clutched the imperial crossbow, while Luci leaning against his back fiddled with a dagger tirelessly.

Ian sat in a corner making a handle for the thorn-like gray spikes with the texture of an armor using a leather strap.

It was the fang of the spider queen in the cave.

This was even a weapon that enabled information checking, containing a mighty level 4 paralysis poison.

Level 4 was enough to paralyze even Ian instantly.

Though numerically it had a maximum of 5 uses without being able to replenish the poison separately.

It would serve as great insurance when facing strong enemies.

Having finished making the dagger, Ian put the fang into his inventory and turned his body.

He then took out food, bandages, candles and more from his travel bag and began to carefully stuff them into a small backpack.

Watching those actions whose purpose she didn’t know, Luci eventually turned her head towards Miguel beyond the backrest. “Miguel.”

“Hmm?”

“What will Miguel do after the request ends?”

“Oh no! Spit quick! Quick!” Miguel shook his shoulders and quickly shouted before spitting out.

Not knowing why, Luci followed suit towards him.

Miguel smacked his lips. “If you say unlucky words, you have to spit quickly. It’s a kind of way of warding off misfortune.”

“Warding off misfortune is… why do you do that?”

“Listen well, Luci. Among mercenaries there are many words you should never say during a request. Just uttering or answering them invites misfortune, and in worse cases you could die. ”

“Isn’t that what you call a curse?”

“It’s almost the same. Many dismiss it as superstition but believe me. The people who ignored it like that, they all died.”

“Was my question one of those kinds?”

“Yes. By asking what I would do after this request ends, the moment I answer I’ll have one foot in the afterlife. Consider it similar to saying you’ll go back home or that you have a marriage promised. That you have children waiting and such.”

Miguel looked at Luci with a serious face. “These kinds of talks should only happen after the request has ended. …Though in fact you don’t need to know those things.”

“I see…” Luci nodded her head and rested her chin on the backrest lowering her body. “I just wondered if you could stay with me if you don’t have anywhere to go after taking me there.”

“Huh…? At the Temple of Furnace?”

“I heard they also have hired hands there. I thought if I asked, Miguel and Sir Ian could also stay there…” Glancing at Miguel’s profile, Luci added. “Later when I come out to the world again, we could also come out together. Since Miguel is an excellent guide.”

“Hmm… I mean, it’s not like I have a set place to go but…” The corners of Miguel’s lips whose chin he stroked slightly went up.”That gentleman probably won’t stay but I could probably stay if you want it that much…?”

“You said it invites misfortune and now you’re answering. Isn’t that the same thing?” Ian, who had at some point finished organizing and was leaning against one wall, retorted.

Miguel frowned and shook his head. “I left the end ambiguous. So this isn’t an answer. …So, what do you think about it?”

“I will obviously leave. It doesn’t change anything if you look at it like that. Luci.”

“…Where will you go?” Luci asked pressing her lips.

Ian’s expression darkened. “Well… anywhere I guess.”

“……”

“It’s unrelated to you so use this time to practice instead of being sentimental. Since after that day, you still haven’t been able to make a single spark.”

“Alright…” Luci nodded her head.

Her gaze that looked at her palm was gloomy.

Miguel muttered in a small voice. “Hey… be a little more tactful. You’re discouraging the kid…”

“Should I rephrase it nicely?”

“It was a monologue. A monologue.”

After blowing a raspberry on the back of Miguel’s head, Ian laid down diagonally.

“I’m going to meditate so unless it’s something we have to fight about, don’t wake me up.”

“Got it.”

Ian activated his meditation after briefly capturing the dark sky in his eyes.

The surrounding noises disappeared and his consciousness sank inward.

Thoughts about his destination followed.

Where to go after this request ends, that’s something even he hadn’t properly decided yet.

Because the flow of the game and his journey had already completely differed.

Back then he went through Belronde and Roussard and headed north. He came to the Temple of Furnace going through the mountain ranges and abandoned lands.

In short the entire order was a mess.

‘Then should I just move in the completely opposite order…?’

Ian brought up a map in his mind.

A line going from the Temple of Furnace to the abandoned lands then through the mountain ranges towards Roussard vaguely connected.

It seemed plausible but variables were still numerous.

Especially the abandoned lands and mountain ranges were not only hard to find paths but also areas he skipped over many quests in fear of freezing to death from blizzards anytime.

Of course now that he saw the guidebooks he knew that was something he shouldn’t have done.

So there would be many situations he hadn’t personally experienced before that he would have to face.

‘I have to move after making my resolution firmer. And remember things diligently as well.’

If he didn’t die during that process, by the time he entered the empire he would be incomparably stronger than in the game.

‘If I can endure until Roussard without using points either… ……?’

Ian suddenly stopped his thoughts.

Because his senses were coming back to life against his will.

Whiiii—

A faint whistling sound like wind could be heard.

His view slowly brightened.

Above a field of white snow. Endlessly stretching white trees that were only bare branches as far as the darkness.

‘What is this again…?’